Bloom's book "argues that humans are, in fact, hardwired with a sense of morality," according to the Yale News. "Drawing on his research at Yale, Bloom demonstrates that, even before they can speak or walk, babies judge the goodness and badness of others’ actions; feel empathy and compassion; act to soothe those in distress; and have a rudimentary sense of justice. Still, he contends, this innate morality is limited, sometimes tragically. People are naturally hostile to strangers, prone to parochialism and bigotry."

Prof. Smith countered several of Bloom's points with her own perspective as a minister, a New Testament scholar and a mother.